18.6.17

Britain's May Meets with Victims of Deadly High-rise Blaze

Victims of the Grenfell
apartment tower block fire and volunteers leave 10 Downing Street after a
meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May in London, June 17,
2017.

British Prime Minister Theresa May met at her Downing Street office
Saturday with survivors of this week's deadly high-rise fire, a day
after being chastised by protesters and as the death toll continued to
rise.
May, who is facing mounting criticism for her response to Wednesday's
west London fire that killed at least 58 people, left hundreds of
others homeless and dozens missing, met for 2½ hours with a delegation
of family members.WATCH: Death toll increases to 58
Details were not disclosed, but an unidentified group spokesman said
members had given May their "demands and expectations" and that a full
statement would be made only "in the community, with the community."
The death toll that London police gave Saturday includes the 30 who had already been confirmed dead.
"There are 58 people who we have been told were in Grenfell Tower on
the night that are missing and, therefore, sadly, I have to assume that
they are dead," Commander Stuart Cundy told reporters at a news
conference. He said the number, based on reports from the public, could
rise.First victim identified
Sixteen bodies have been removed from the blackened, 24-story public
housing unit, and the first victim was formally identified as Mohammed
Alhajali, 23, a Syrian refugee.
If at least 58 deaths are confirmed, the blaze would be London's deadliest since World War II.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, center,
speaks with firefighters after arriving at Grenfield Tower in London,
June 15, 2017, following a deadly fire in the apartment block.

Before meeting with the survivors, May chaired a "cross-government"
meeting at her office "to ensure everything possible is being done to
support those affected" by the tragedy, a spokesman said.
The meeting came one day after May was chastised by protesters as she
visited near the scene of the blaze. She faced cries of "coward" and
"shame on you" as police restrained angry crowds, following accusations
of avoiding local residents during a visit to the area Thursday.Maintenance issue cited
Survivors of the building claimed the fatal fire resulted from a lack
of maintenance to the tower. They also complained that May's visit to
the neighborhood was too slow and that support was lacking for those who
lost relatives and homes.
Cundy said the police investigation would look into the building's
2016 refurbishment and promised to prosecute "if there is evidence."

FILE - In this June 14, 2017 file photo, smoke rises from a 24-story high-rise apartment building on fire in London.

Criticism of May intensified Friday after she sidestepped questions
in a televised interview about whether she had underestimated the
public's anger and frustration.
In addition to fire and police investigations into the inferno, May
has promised to hold public hearings. She has also pledged $6.4 million
in support to the residents and promised that those who lost their homes
would be relocated within three weeks.
The prime minister is still reeling from a botched snap election that
resulted in her Conservative Party's loss of its majority in
Parliament.